Survival, of course, is important, but it is not the prime purpose of a
species, in that it is a necessary means by which that species can attain its
main goals. Of course [a species] must survive to do so, but it will,
however, purposefully avoid survival if the conditions are not practically
favorable to maintain the quality of life or existence that is considered
basic.
A species that senses a lack of this quality can in one way or another
destroy its offspring — not because they could not survive otherwise, but
because the quality of that survival would bring about vast suffering, for
example, so distorting the nature of life as to almost make a mockery of
it. Each species seeks for the development of its abilities and capacities in
a framework in which safety is a medium for action. Danger in that
context exists under certain conditions clearly known to the animals,
clearly defined: The prey is known, for example, as is the hunter. But
even the natural prey of another animal does not fear the "hunter" when
the hunter animal is full of belly, nor will the hunter then attack.
There are also emotional interactions among the animals that
completely escape you, and biological mechanisms, so that animals felled
as natural prey by other animals "understand" their part in nature. They
do not anticipate death before it happens, however. The fatal act propels
the consciousness out from the flesh, so that in those terms it is merciful.
During their lifetimes animals in their natural state enjoy their vigor
and accept their worth. They regulate their own births — and their own
deaths. The quality of their lives is such that their abilities are challenged.
They enjoy contrasts: that between rest and motion, heat and cold, being
in direct contact with natural phenomena that
everywhere quickens their experience. They will migrate if necessary to
seek conditions more auspicious. They are aware of approaching natural
disasters, and when possible will leave such areas. They will protect their
own, and according to circumstances and conditions they will tend their
own wounded. Even in contests between young and old males for control
of a group, under natural conditions the loser is seldom killed. Dangers
are pinpointed clearly so that bodily reactions are concise.
The animal knows he has the right to exist, and a place in the fabric
of nature. This sense of biological integrity supports him.
Man, on the other hand, has more to contend with. He must deal with
beliefs and feelings often so ambiguous that no clear line of action seems
possible. The body often does not know how to react. If you believe that
the body is sinful, for example, you cannot expect to be happy, and
health will most likely elude you,, for your dark beliefs will blemish the
psychological and biological integrity with which you were born.
The species is in a state of transition, one of many. This one began,
generally speaking, when the species tried to step apart from nature in
order to develop the unique kind of consciousness that is presently your
own. That consciousness is not a finished product, however, but one
meant to change, [to] evolve and develop." Certain artificial divisions
were made along the way that must now be dispensed with.
You must return, wiser creatures, to the nature that spawned
you — not only as loving caretakers but as partners with the other species
of the earth. You must discover once again the spirituality of your
biological heritage. The majority of accepted beliefs — religious,
scientific, and cultural — have tended to stress a sense of powerlessness,
impotence, and impending doom — a picture in which man and his world
is an accidental production with little meaning, isolated yet seemingly
ruled by a capricious God. Life is seen as "a valley of tears" — almost as
a low-grade infection from which the soul can be cured only by death.
Religious, scientific, medical, and cultural communications stress the
existence of danger, minimize the purpose of the species or of any
individual member of it, or see mankind as the one erratic, half-insane
member of an otherwise orderly realm of nature. Any or
all of the above beliefs are held by various systems of thought. All of
these, however, strain the individual's biological sense of integrity,
reinforce ideas of danger, and shrink the area of psychological safety that
is necessary to maintain the quality possible in life. The body's defense
systems become confused to varying degrees.
I do not intend to give a treatise upon the biological structures of the
body and their interworkings, but only to add such information in that
line that is not currently known, and is otherwise important to the ideas I
have in mind. I am far more concerned [with] more basic issues. The
body's defenses will take care of themselves if they are allowed to, and if
the psychological air is cleared of the true "carriers" of disease.